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HTC Thunderbolt Training at Verizon Starts Today (Updated)

Verizon started training their employees today (yesterday at some stores) on the HTC Thunderbolt and from the sounds of it, things are still on track for mid-February. HTC reps still aren’t ready to confirm a date yet, but they were willing to mention next month as the current target. They also got up in front of the VZW reps and demoed simultaneous data/voice on their 4G LTE network, which our guys can’t stop talking about. And reps were allowed plenty of hands-on time with the device, which means we’re getting that much closer. February is 5 days away.

Update: Our guy says that somehow during the demo, data/voice was done simultaneously over 3G as well. We were skeptical at first to believe it, but Phandroidreceived a similar tip that it may be some new type of radio. If that’s the case, AT&T may be ridiculously screwed as that was one of their last arguments for keeping i*hone users.

Cheers Spaniard!

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why do you call it a i*hone? It’s called an iphone. does your p not work on your keyboard? if someone googles iphone and ends up on your site… isn’t that a good thing? I dont even have an iphone. But your * is retarded. don’t be a i*ussy.

Booshnig123

Wow htc was right… This its the dream phone after mine 😀 if only the silver was replaced with black…

Get a clue. It’s always been possible, depending on how the spectrum is allocated and what the carrier will allow a subscriber to do – but, in the past, it was far less efficient than the new scheme. It’s not a miracle, it’s a defined spec that handles it. The phone manufacturer has nothing to do with this. It’s the chipset maker implementing it in their baseband.

http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Porter/302200059 David Porter

I am a VZW employee and can confirm it does support simultaneous voice/date usage. The device supports a technology called CDMA SVDO which supports this tech

Anonymous

Can you confirm if we will still pay 29.99 for unlimited data, and how much longer on the release date. Mr. Vz employee, that’s a bit of insider info I’d like to know. Pretty please

Anonymous

Can you confirm if we will still pay 29.99 for unlimited data, and how much longer on the release date. Mr. Vz employee, that’s a bit of insider info I’d like to know. Pretty please

Mychalstitts

Does that mean all the verizon phones will be capable of this?

Anon

Friend of mine works at VZW and they had an HTC rep in their store on Sunday (1/23). Sounds like he was there for a couple hours and the VZW reps got plenty of hands on time during the visit.

Cree

I know that MAP pricing shows $249, but I believe the pricing should be at $199 on two-year contract or $269 for one-year contract.

Cree

Anonymous

Mobile hotspot not supported at launch Root

http://www.colinzerk.com Colin L. Zerk

It’s true. I saw it at a kick-off and the HTC rep just smiled.

Manaox

The 3G simultaneous data/voice has been known to be coming for a while via SVDO. Its a part of the CDMA chip coming to future phones to allow 1x EVDO data and voice simultaneously. One of the major reasons that I will not be paying a ton extra for 4G service in the future.

DBEvans

I remember reading about SVDO about a year ago from a leaked Verizon timeline for network upgrades – but hadn’t heard anything sinse then, so wasn’t sure if they had dropped it in order to put a bigger priority on LTE. Good to hear they’ve proceeeded with the rollout. Will take new handsets to utilize; but newer hardware should start coming out with campatibility going forward.

Jorge

Better late than never, welcome to the party Verizon.

Jimmy

I want to get this phone, but it all depends, maybe someone can help me out here since I don’t exactly understand 4G coverage.

VZ already has 4G in Los Angeles, but I am about 15-20 miles away from LA, does that mean I’m not covered or what? I’m not to clear on this, if I’m not covered I’m probably going to hold out for an Incredible 2.

Just entered my address into the site…My house is in the 4G zone but my neighbors is only 3G. Um, I live in a townhouse. LOL

Jimmy

sweet. thanks for the link, mate

PyroHoltz

I’m quite sure the voice/data over 3G/4G is more of a side effect than engineering.

As I understand things w/ 4G devices, currently only data is carried over the new 4G network and ALL voice activity is carried over the existing 3G network. The ability to have simultaneous voice/data is only possible w/ 4G capable devices on Big Red’s current network.

Rumor is, Verizon will be moving voice and data to 4G at some point.

Anonymous

That seems pretty high. I could handle an extra $10 per month, but $20 is pushing it and I have a feeling that holds true for many people.

tehshift

What does everyone think the 4G battery drain will be like? I really like this phone, it is what I have been waiting for. But with all these comments I’ve read about the battery drain the 4G will put on it, worries me. It won’t have 2.3 yet w/ the better battery management, so it could be a few months before you get a full day on this(unless we can slap one of the incredible ROMS on there).

http://twitter.com/Clowndude Clowndude

I’ve heard that the 4G radio’s are supposed to be much more efficient than the WiMax radios, etc.

tmax

im looking forward to this phone want to stay from the motorola phones the Droid X was a great phone but with too many bugs for the price we pay

Anonymous

Another site is reporting that simultaneous voice/data over 3G was also demoed. I find this hard to believe, anyone else heard this?

Anonymous

With the problems that are apparently plaguing the Bionic (and the Atrix), the Thunderbolt is looking better and better…

Anonymous

does anyone have any spare vzw employee badges so i could get in on this training

storm34x

I will pay full price for one when it hits the shelves

Anonymous

I am leaning on purchasing this phone, does anyone know if the San Francisco Bay Area is on the list for 4G?? I haven’t seen the map for $G yet. This looks very sweet, and from the guys here on Droid lIfe from CES they were very happy with the feel and build quality of the device.

Anonymous

Yep, looks like almost all of San Fran and Oakland is covered. Definitely the bay area.

Anonymous

Thaks, the only question now is how much will the 4G plan cost? That’s the
deal breaker for me.

Just curious to all the articles about this phone being a best buy exclusive only? Why would verizon employee’s get trained on this phone if it were only to be sold at best buy? Just a thought any feedback appreciated….

Anonymous

I’ve seen those reports, but I think they are referring to Best Buy being the only big retailer to get it. Meaning, no Wal-Mart, Costco, etc.

Eclipsegst4mee

That makes much more since as the articles did use the word “retail” when making the statement. Thanks for clarifying!

http://twitter.com/SL1Mike Michael Swaim

Soon i will be holding one in my hands, i can feel it…lol. for now my rooted and rom’d incredible will keep me busy..

Anonymous

What rom are you using on your dinc? I just got one for the price of $0, but it may be going back shortly

PSU_DI

I can’t speek for Michael Swaim, but if you have an inc you have to try out the RC3 UBER Z rom over on XDA, by far its one of the best roms out. and it has major customization available. Its the same version of sense that the Thunderbolt has and since using it I can’t go back to an older style inc rom.

Kevoskee

I’m getting this phone next month but I bet that 4g data plans going to have me sell something I own every month to pay for it. Lol

Anonymous

I still want this phone. Were 4G pricing ever leaked yet, kellex?

Anonymous

Not yet.

Paul_704

Wow….. they are really keeping the pricing under wraps right utill the time they release it. I hope we’re not all shocked at the price, but if it was going to be cheap or only a little bit more expensive because it would really not be a big deal so all indications are that it’s going up bigtime…

Anonymous

Can I get in on this training lol?

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